Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

BRAVE HALO won the Initial Plate sitting up outside of boom filly Live To Tell and then backed it up with a dominant 2.8L victory in another SWP 2 year old race with 58kg. After the claim of Keshaw Dhurun he carries half a kilo less than last start and will go round one of the shortest priced favourites in the Ascot season to date. Impossible to fault what he has produced thus far. SHELL BELL was beaten 4.7L by him on debut and meets him only 1.5kg better at the weights. Has a set of shades attached and Dion Luciani’s horses grow a leg when they find the rail. GOOD VIBES can improve with race experience. I’M ON looks quick.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – BRAVE HALO WIN

RACE 2

MY BELLA MAE could not have been more impressive on debut. All of her trials suggested she was well and truly above average, however, she had to produce it on race day and did exactly that. Was only fairly away but mustered quickly into a prominent position and as soon as the gaps appeared along the cutaway, she was off and gone. Would likely have been on the third line of betting behind Baby Paris & All Show in the Placid Ark Prelude last Saturday had she stayed in the field. Exciting filly. PRAWNS ELEVEN rises to 59kg which is an ask but he’s uber talented. Doing everything on raw ability at the minute. Does plenty wrong but has a serious motor. UNIVERSAL PLAYBOY has set the track alight at trials on three occasions now. Won’t be a maiden long. TORPEDOMAN was a big trial win.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet – MY BELLA MAE WIN

RACE 3

TRI FOR US had shades added for the first time last week and went awfully close. Looking at Adam Durrants recent runners they’re all hitting form at the same time and he brings three live chances to the Carbine Club of WA Apprentices Cup. Historically these races are run at a frenetic tempo with a few youngsters getting itchy fingers a fair way from home. Thinking that Tri For Us is one of those who can sit out the back and let things unfold until the 600. BLACKWATER BAY and OFF WEGO are both in a similar boat. Expecting that all the Durrant runners make their runs together off the back of the speed. Not much between them. ADMIRED doesn’t have a rider named yet (Angela Johnston?) but if he starts he’s a live chance.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet – TRI FOR US WIN

RACE 4

PENNY’S AFIELD was eye catching at the return to racing when charging home late once getting clear at the top of the straight. She was understandably popular in early betting second-up when stepping to 1400 and reuniting with regular rider Chris Parnham. As the day unfolded it became clear that she was going to be set an impossible task as leaders dominated the Ascot program on 22 October. Forgive, forget and follow up. KOSTA’S CROWN is a talented 3 year old who broke through with a dominant maiden win. Takes up a prominent position and takes beating with the weight relief he gets. CHEERFUL MOMENT joins the stables of Chris & Michael Gangemi and has plenty to offer. TRADE WAR hasn’t had much luck this campaign. Clearly flying.

Numbers: 7 – 8 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – PENNY’S AFIELD WIN

Same Race Multi – Penny’s Afield (Top 3) + Kosta’s Crown (Top 3)

RACE 5

BUSTLER attacks the Fairetha Stakes third-up from a spell and looks to retain his undefeated status. Has been placed to perfection by Neville Parnham and while this is a big step up in grade and quality of opposition he has taken all before him to date. Likely to settle midfield and be put into the race on straightening. Huge upside and looks to be screaming out for 1400. SNOWDOME is drawn inside of Man Crush and can lead him this time round. Swap the positions in running, swap the result from the Belgravia. Big danger if it’s playing on speed. ALL THE KING’S MEN is classy and will get the drop on the leaders. MAN CRUSH is one tough customer.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – BUSTLER WIN

RACE 6

ACTING GOD might need one more before he peaks but going to pull the trigger and put him on top here. Loved his first-up run over an unsuitable 1400m behind Karli’s Karma in what has turned into a quality form reference race: Brooklyn Pier, Holy Ghost, Ginger Green, Miss Vasari, Speed Dream. Backed it up second-up when hitting the line full of running from a long way off them. Draws a barrier, can settle much closer in the run and should go round eachway. LORD GANNICUS is the progressive 3 year old going through his grades. Really attacked the line last start and showed a level of versatility. Well placed. UNCOMPROMISED is bursting to win a race. Barrier hurts. HENCHARD is off the 4 day back-up.

Numbers: 1 – 11 – 10 – 4

Suggested Bet – ACTING GOD EACHWAY

RACE 7

ABOVE THE PEG was only gunned down in the final 50m by Featherweight when backed off the boards at his return to racing. Trialled nicely, ran well fresh, looks better suited at 1400m and should be able to blend in midfield with cover and make a run at them late in the race. They’ll roll along behind Big Screen & Creator and that should allow horses like Above The Peg to get into the race late. ROKANORI wins with another stride first-up at 1000m. He’s all class and Paul Harvey rides him well. Just needs a track into it three deep with cover. SWEAR TO GOD can box seat on the back of the speed and enjoys the run of the race. BIG SCREEN gets weight relief and is always hard to run down.

Numbers: 12 – 5 – 14 – 11

Suggested Bet – ABOVE THE PEG EACHWAY

RACE 8

RESORTMAN has been the find of the winter/spring. Started his preparation in July as a m83 rater and having won the Listed HG Bolton, Idyllic Prince, Farnley and Group 3 Eurythmic he now sits a m107 rater and in the form of his life. Proven at WFA, drawn to get the run he enjoys midfield with cover and the way he’s going he’ll be right there in the finish again. Remarkable preparation. MASSIMO will be looking to cross down to the fence. He’s always a live chance in these WFA races at Ascot with his racing pattern. COMFORT ME has to concede that pair 2.5kg from the Eurythmic for being beaten. Barrier helps offset the weight disadvantage. KARLI’S KARMA will divide opinions. Would get 13.5kg on Massimo & Resortman in a Handicap. All X-Factor with her.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 6 – 10

Suggested Bet – RESORTMAN WIN

RACE 9 

ZEPHYRA was an excitement machine in her first preparation as a 3 year old filly. She resumes here as a 4 year old off the back of a very quiet trial where she hit the line hard under a hold from Carbery. This looks a 3 deep moving line sort of racing, swooping over the top late and that suits a mare like her. Think she’s capable of continuing her way through the grades and this is a great assignment for her fresh. REAL GRACE may well end up in a similar position to her on straightening. They’ll likely make their runs together. CROSS STATEMENT usually runs well fresh and is a winner this track, this distance, this grade. MISS VASARI was excellent last start when tracking Bustler into the race.

Numbers: 16 – 11 – 9 – 14

Suggested Bet – ZEPHYRA WIN

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,4,10,11

4,5,11,12,14

2,5,6,10

11,16

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